New here. Didn't really want to do a check in because I'm so over the weight watchers constant monitoring of every single thing I eat and fit bit every step I take. Still, I may try to check in from time to time to see how it looks as the big picture.

Two greens (Monday and Tuesday) but today I was so hungry (or at least wanted to eat really bad) and had a protein shake, then 4 energy balls. Feeling tired and stressed. Went to see mom and sister and brother, ate lasagna and strawberry tiramisu dessert. Ugh! Super red day. All this was after 5:00.

I'm going to move on, but I wish I could find a way to make those strong urges to eat more easy to overcome. I suspect they are emotional or nervous reasons because my meals are big aplenty

Welcome Lilybug, and well done for moving on after a red day. Your check in can be whatever you want and however often you want, whatever works for you. Hope to see you around _________________I CAN do this.

Lilybug, I think those urges to eat have a lot to do with insulin release. Your body is expecting food and reacts accordingly, and that leaves you with that miserable I'm munchy-but-not-hungry feeling. The regular meals do seem to help with that.

I think the urges can come from other sources, too. There are tons of associations with food that can stimulate a desire to eat. You are very right that they aren't likely about real need, since you are eating regularly and probably have some reserves you wouldn't mind your body drawing on.

Sometimes it will be easy and sometimes hard to ignore urges. I decided long ago I couldn't wait for it to get easy. Easy always ended and then I would just slide into the old habits. The only thing I can say is it is absolutely worth it to hold out until the structure is your default. (Full disclosure: I have been failing lately, but I've had a lot of success over the years, and see myself getting right soon.)

I have used a lot of what I learned about satisfying, delicious meals that weren't really heavy on WW, I'll give it that.

Hope to hear from you once in awhile. And that it can all become routine without all the tracking._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Thanks oolala. I'm glad you're here. You are a wealth of information on these boards! I do plan on Checking in here and reading posts is helpful.

I am a little shell shocked after ww, though. Part of it I loved, like connect, until it starts driving me nuts, the constant tracking and trying to get motivated by reading the stories. Trying to lose weight was taking over my life! Also, I didn't lose much weight and I gained it back and I was still going to meetings and tracking (although. i went over every week on my points).

I had enough and threw away all my diet books and have not stepped on my scale.

I want to be healthy and a good weight, but I want a life, too. I have to make this work. I feel like my only alternative is accepting being overweight and I'm not going to do that, I'm sure.

I am about 30 lbs over where I want to be- a weight I would be totally satisfied at. Probably a size 8-10.

I'm also working on shedding the clutter in my house. (Reinhardt, do you want to come up with a system for that? I think that would be great and fall right into no s. I think weight and clutter are inter-related).

I think he has admired Flylady because she has routines. People there often report that getting established in the basic routines led to accomplishing much more than just the basics. I haven't been able to keep up the kitchen stuff. Sigh._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

It's only your ninth day! Way too early to be worrying about meal sizes, unless you feel bloated and uncomfortable between meals._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

They talk a lot but rarely make long term changes. But I was there, too. In a way, I still am, except that it's just about supporting this. And this is definitely more fun._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

What time of day was this? Did you eat on your own? Did it replace a meal or was it just early dinner? Just curious about having drinks with the family but no meal. My family doesn't live nearby, so I don't know how these things work._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

My sister came over about 4pm and we had a couple of beers. We then went to her house, (she lives in my neighborhood), she was going to cook burgers, but that took awhile so had another drink or two 😜 And by that time I needed to eat! I snacked on some chips and dip before dinner was ready, then ate dinner about 7.

I really need to eat with alcohol. I will probably do the ES Reinhardt has for limits on alcohol at some point!

S day, but I think I did overeat. A whole bar of hazelnut chocolate (over 500 calories, I know that is not supposed to matter). I think I kept on eating it to "get rid of it". Anyone else have that happen?

I also had a big piece of banana bread and fresh squeezed oj for breakfast.

Baguette with roast chicken, cheddar cheese and dry salami for dinner. AND a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I feel bloated and tired.

I am trying to trust the process, but I have to admit I feel a little nervous.

It is absolutely possible to eat too much on S days. It's just not forbidden. But it is meant to be a temporary release valve to the N day eating discipline until N day eating feels more natural and even preferred. No S can't defy the laws of chemistry. If you eat more than your body needs overall, following every whim to eat, you will not lose and eventually gain. No S is just a way to limit the intake, a way that has been commonly used before the rules were thrown out. If months down the line, the moderation of N days isn't naturally spilling over into S days, you may decide you are ready to take purposeful action. But no need to hang that over your head now, unless you have a health condition. BTW, it took me two years before I was willing to rein in my S days. Needless to say, weight loss stalled many times, but loss was not my main goal. Eventually, the release valve became more of a burden than a release. I got tired of feeling caught by food and being too full. (Avoiding that was THE main motivation for me, but it was a dance.) I still had to use effort, but it became worth it because I felt more comfortable and enjoyed what I ate more on S days, like I did on N days.

I know No S tries to get us to be rather casual about things, but it's very easy to drink more than a meal's worth of calories in alcohol alone, yet it won't feel like it. In fact, most people will be likely to eat even more. The body knows, though. (Not meant to incur shame, but just calm reflection. Slim societies are rather moderate with their drinking, too.)

I think the general recommendation even outside of No S is to intersperse drinking water between booze drinks. Pairing/following it with a meal is probably a good idea, too, but that may be a lot of habit change at once, if a person is used to drinking socially._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

I was actually glad to get to the N part of the week. I felt bad from food, alcohol and cigarettes. I have been quit for years but a very stressful time in my life has weakened me and I have been smiling here and there.

Today, no cigarettes, alcohol or Ss.

Feels good and now to get some good rest tonight.
My sleep has been not so good (probably the nicotine)

I did pretty well today. I made sure everything was on the same plate. I had been using little plates of more than one item, which I figured was the same as being on the same big plate, but after reading more of the book, I think it is important to be on the same plate. It looks like more. I'm a visual person and so I think I better make sure this is followed. I could see the difference tonight as I slid my salad I had originally put in a bowl onto my plate to join my pizza. Lotsa food.

Still, I was tempted a little to snack later. I've been fatigued and achy all day and frankly, cranky! I'm amazed that I didn't eat after dinner. I think this no snack thing is amazing. I didn't think I could do it. I was a constant grazer. ALL DAY. Thanks, Reinhard for if nothing else, I'm finding peace with this!

The desire to snack might go and come and go. Desire doesn't have to be in charge.

I usually put salad on my plate, even before No S. I tend to skip salad dressing and just mix bites of salad with dense food, though sometimes salad dressing is the sauce for my other food, too. Double duty .

But I sometimes have a small bowl of soup or yogurt that I put on the plate along with the other food, at least to start. I can always take it off once I see it all on the plate.

Won't it be great to have two more green days this week?_________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Yay! One more to go._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Changed from green previously because it wasnt following the s rules fully
But not ideal. I had dinner on one plate and no snacks, but before my dinner came out of the oven, I had some cheese and dried salami. I'm counting as green because it was all one meal, but I failed on the one plate aspect.

NOTE: I also got really full and I see how one plate is important.

Last edited by Lilybug on Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

Sometimes we need to do things a little differently, just to see the contrast and to appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of this plan. I'm interested, would the full feeling make you go for the one plate approach more strictly in future? How big a difference did it make?_________________I CAN do this.

Possible explanations: There is a theory that a person does them over and over BECAUSE she feels bad about it. It's a subconscious penance that allows you to go and sin again. Very tricky. But it can also work to get so exasperated with the habit of feeling regret that a person finally reduces of stops the behavior that makes her feel regret.

Another thought is that there is pleasure that reinforces the behavior before the cruddy feelings and regret follow. So there is a strong urge to get that pleasure almost no matter what it costs.

In any case, you are learning and going forward. That's a heck of a lot better than throwing up your hands and saying it's too hard or you're too weak. (That's just the brain pattern protecting the habit, and often succeeding.)_________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Gillian Riley says when we learn to master wanting without eating and without artificially dieting, we have a chance at a real life with food, though not is so many words.

Tomorrow's Hump Day, a great day to get back on the horse._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Still? It hasn't even been a month! Most people don't find their right amounts for quite awhile. No need to be one of the exceptions. _________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Thanks oolala! I do feel like I may have gained some weight
I haven't weighed since I started this thing and before. I was sick of monitoring everything and the ups and downs of all that. I'm afraid to now!

Would it be a catastrophe if you had gained a few pounds?_________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Good point. It wouldn't. But I'm afraid if I see a big gain then I'll freak out and start grasping at straws again. Maybe. Maybe not. I'm pretty fed up with the diet stuff.

Today was a SUCCESS.

This weekend is my birthday so I'm guessing there will be opportunities for goodies (yay actually lol). My sister had some orange cake on Monday and I absolutely love it. I asked her to wrap me up a slice to have for breakfast Saturday.

I have to say I absolutely LOVE that I'm not feeling that crazy gotta have it now feeling when I think about sweets. I know I can have it on the weekend. It really takes the crazy out of it.

Defusing the scale is a worth habit to develop, but it may be a lot to ask to add it to everything else._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

I hate to tell you but I had a suspicion about that orange cake. It sounded like it could double for dessert and that can be eaten at night, too, and the old habit knows that.

But you aren't the first to eat something saved for the weekend prematurely and won't be the last. The only really sad part is that it's now gone, so no orange cake at breakfast. I guess you'll have to have chocolate chip waffles. _________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Lol. Yep, I had a feeling about the orange cake too. Oh well, had to settle with a free pastry at Panera for my breakfast

Really beautiful day, and I'm headed to the lake for more festivities. I'm exhausted though from digging up an evil rose bush that I've despised for a long time. Looks like crap half the time and cuts you with its thorns. I liken it to several relationships in my life. They look good at times, then get eaten up (negativity, ego, judgement, anxiety provoking behavior) by bugs and look bad. I try to help them with pruning and it cuts me

I go back and forth to decide if they're worth it. I want to give another chance (it was so pretty at one time), but eventually you have to pluck it out. It can be backbreaking work, but it's worth it when the thorns are just a memory.

Here's to a delicious Hump Day._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Thanks, Linda! Yes, I'm still floored that I'm not thinking about food 24/7 and that when I do eat, I'm eating with more enjoyment and less wolfing it down. Probably because I've left the guilt behind.

Yesterday (Saturday) I had a piece of cheesecake and some chips, but other that that nothing too crazy-which also surprises me.

I have had some bloating though, and trying on clothes was a bummer. I have gained and plus the bloat put me in size 14 (usually a size 12 and would like to be an 8 or 10). It's worth it to me right now and I have hope that it will go down, as I have trusted the process so far and am amazed that I can not snack. That is a miracle in itself. Hoping the weight loss also comes around. We shall see.

So much for feeling more n control. Somehow, I really overrate today, including 3'ice cream bars and a half package of ladyfingers, even though I don't care much for them. I realize these are issues that aren't going away overnight, but it still stinks. I get tired or nervous about something coming up and I eat to the point of discomfort. 😞

Lilybug: Get right back on the N Day horse, and don't let anything stop you!!! Don't beat yourself up. S Days are not really a fail, even if we overdo it... Maybe you were too strict about what goes on your plates M-F, or maybe you snacked uncomfortably on Sunday? I'm finding I really like to keep the three meal structure on S Days but add something sweet and be less "comically strict" (as Reinhard says in his book) about my plate - on S Days I'll reach over to the serving dishes and add something. You were doing really well this week - so let that be your guiding thought! _________________Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Yes, don't worry about S days at all--make N days your focus. S days often sort themselves out over time, and if not, you can deal with that later (if you need to).

My S day today:

a 1" piece of egg casserole, a piece of sweet bread, and a 1-bite danish plus 3 cups of coffee with cream and sugar for breakfast.

Lunch was a fruit & yogurt smoothie and a klondike bar.

Snack was pretzels with cream cheese and a sprite.

Dinner was a frozen personal pizza and a klondike bar and some apple juice.

Definitely more sugar than I need, but close to a regular meal structure except the snack--much different from my S days in the beginning which were snack all day affairs, LOL!_________________Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

Agreed! Don't worry about S days. Mine are only now calming down after 4 years but I still managed to lose weight. N days will start to feel like like a relief which is a good thing._________________"Above all, be the heroine of your life and not the victim.” Nora Ephron

Thank you all so much. I am feeling so bad about Sunday. Yes, relief that my N day is here for sure!

Also, buying things like ice cream bars- I'm not ready for it. I was feeling cocky because I had been leaving things in the pantry that I normally would have been all over.

You guys give me hope with your encouragement - and your stories of how it was when you first started. I need to read that when I start those panicky thoughts of " I have to get this under control! Maybe this was a bad idea!" Start up!

You've been at this a little over a month. It may not have been inevitable to have these shifts in ease, but it is typical. It has no predictive value. Successful people have them, too. The difference is so simple that it can elude us. The successful ones just keep reducing the intensity and frequency of overages, and not necessarily in a linear fashion, meaning they keep going back to the new habits, emphasizing their superior value. YOU can be one of them. You are in training now, and no one knows when it will evolve into being easy enough that you accept that it's your default. So what if it takes awhile? Most successful losers actually take much longer than we like to think for it to become pretty much second nature. Try not to long for being an exception. That has what has tripped most of us up for years.

BTW, for a LONG time, that kind of S day was typical for me. I just clung to N days and the improvements they brought. You will have your own evolution. No one can predict it or guarantee it. And no one can do it for you. I know you've probably heard that before. I certainly did, but it took nearly 40 years to really get it. When I did, it didn't make it easy, but it did make it a lot easier.

The good news is you ARE doing it. _________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Thanks, oolala. You're right. This is where the commitment to to change habit really kicks in. I can't deny that I'm worried about my weight, but I feel so much relief about food especially on n days, that it has to be worth it.

It's so nice to order what I want from a restaurant, to not calculate the calories or points in my head. That is such a relief I am over the moon about that part.

I'm going to keep trusting that it will shake out. I feel like this is my only way to go.

The successful ones just keep reducing the intensity and frequency of overages, and not necessarily in a linear fashion, meaning they keep going back to the new habits, emphasizing their superior value.

Lilibug - I would say let those wise words from Oolala guide you. There is so much packed in that one sentence... Don't let the cinnamon rolls or stress get you. You just keep calmly returning to your new eating habits, over and over again. YOU CAN DO IT!!! _________________Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Thank you Elyssa! And everyone. Sometimes stress take over like a panic. I want to eat or drink or smoke or do SOMETHING! (Didn't smoke and I poured a beer but drank just half of it. I ate cheese Nd crackers and a few chips and that was dinner. Just not feeling it.

But some days you just don't feel it. I'll probably never do it perfectly. Oh well. Still making progress, I think.

But some days you just don't feel it. I'll probably never do it perfectly. Oh well. Still making progress, I think.

I think progress is more important than perfection with No-S. Seeking perfection tends to lead to giving up when a person misses out, but progress is forgiving--if you mess up, you can try again the next day and look at the overall positive direction._________________Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

Good point, Merry. It's getting better, although I have met setbacks. I've been n a painting workshop an driving an hour each way every day. Tomorrow is the last day and I'm exhausted, but happy! It's been great. I need more than food and drink as a hobby lol.

Thursday and Friday were probably FAILURES, but only just barely. Not eating out of control, but just too busy to be perfect, if that makes sense.

Thursday and Friday were probably FAILURES, but only just barely. Not eating out of control, but just too busy to be perfect, if that makes sense.

totally!
this is why i love to write down my failures in detail... i really dont like tracking the food i eat, not even on s days (i want to undo the damage of calorie counting on my mind)... but i find that failures are important to write down and see how small they are most of the times... so it feels motivating rather than discouraging...

oh, and many long time noSers say that even they are not perfect even after all these years...
but it still works... _________________Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!

Saturday and Sunday were high s days. I had a donut and a half, Chocolate and a lot f it, sausage biscuit, etc. oh and alcohol after. Got back. So tired I had 2 moscow mules and a lite beer and several cigarettes. So exhausted! But stoked about painting!

Back to work yesterday and I was so tired I could barely function. Where is my energy? Another reason I'd like to loose weight. I look in the class and the older crowd is heavier. Some who are older are fit. I can see the difference in quality of life and I want the fit quality. I'm just not sure what I'm willing to do to get it! But I'm sure I'm willing to try to be more moderate.

Monday was a SUCCESS however. After the weekend + Of esssing there was a slight bump in getting back to habit. Feels so good to not hVe caved, although I ate plenty for my meals.

had a bit of a second portion of pinto beans and cornbread that I had for dinner.

Sorry you had a failure, but sounds yummy, how do you make your pinto beans?_________________Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

I use coon creek split shank ham hocks and sear after sautéing onions and celery. I add this to drained soaked pintos and put in slow cooker with a couple of inches of water covering. Toss in a bay leaf and cook all day. They were really good. I'm from ky so I love my beans!

I had another red day today but it was because my lunch was too measly. I ate a small pouch of oatmeal about 3. Chinese food for dinner. I'm still eating pretty big portions, but I'm trying to learn to hit the sweet spot of just enough to satisfy me until dinner while having a good appetite for the next meal.

I've not done well at all this week. One or two green days! I feel terrible. Gut is upset and I'm so tired. No energy.

Getting bummed about my weight too. It's creeping up and up 😨

Tomorrow is a new day. Try to make it green and go into the weekend on the upswing!_________________Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

I personally have never been positively motivated by seeing myself bigger. I've always resisted the idea that I HAVE to be smaller. My motivation has just about always been not being willing a) to feel I was a slave to food and b) to be too full too often. I saw No S as a way to counteract both of those. It wasn't a breeze but it was better than the alternatives in my mind, and I reminded myself of it many times, even while sometime considering more diety strictures. Some have actually evolved into my eating, but from a and b above.

Remember back to when you first posted about how awful you felt from overeating. The problem for nearly all of us is that it's easy to feel determined when we're terribly full, but that feeling is going to go away and the desire for food will return. What will we do then? That's when having plans for good meals to look forward to is so important. It won't necessarily make it carefree, but again, what's the alternative?

I admit freely I still use willpower sometimes, and am glad of it. Thinking I had to make this something that never took effort caused me a lot of grief. I kept thinking, what's wrong with me? I accepted we live in a food-rich culture, and there's no guarantee I'll always be immune. I can't wait for the society to catch up and limit access to food. (I already told the story somewhere of my ex-colleague who's been living in Italy for about 18 months and lost 15 lbs. mostly because there are hardly any snack type foods available wherever you go. WE have to make our own Italy in our minds.) But I've never been sorry I passed up non-meal food that tempted me. And I'm grateful that there's a lot that doesn't tempt me anymore._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Well, here I am again, and glad of it. I went on the "screw it, I'm going to eat what I what when I want" plan, and succeeded in gaining more weight.

I used my sister's ww app to look at connect (basically ww Instagram) and felt motivated by everyone's weight loss. But looking at what they are actually eating- on the hunt for this special low point this and that that look like crap anyway- and the failures at the scale despite being "really good" and the like... I came back to No S. It just makes sense and there is no nonsense (although shovel glove looks pretty crazy!) lol

An unwritten restriction on No S is looking at diet sites. If you do, you must always also say, let's see them in two years. Odds are very great they'll be heavier.

Three colleagues who dieted a few years ago have all gained weight back. The two females are heavier than when they started. The male is a little less. I know the pain of the eating that does that.

One other colleague who has always been thin by most standards but who has put on some fat as she's aged has started using diet products. Most recent one is Isagenix. I don't talk to her about it because she doesn't ask and wouldn't believe me. She's retiring this year so I won't get to check how she fares. She has a better chance than most because her set point has always been low. I pray for her that the experiment doesn't last long. The longer it lasts, the harder the recovery will be.

May I gently suggest that you regard the next nine weeks as training for the holiday eating season. You want to be in great "shape" for that. Not in looks but in habit. Traditional dieting is terrible prep for it!_________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

May I gently suggest that you regard the next nine weeks as training for the holiday eating season. You want to be in great "shape" for that. Not in looks but in habit. Traditional dieting is terrible prep for it!

Great idea and way to frame a success. I'm in training!

I have coworkers still doing Atkins and 3 out of 4 of them have stuck to it for over a year with impressive weight losses. It's not even tempting to me because I know I don't want to eat like that. It does drive me crazy when one of them exclaims "that stuff will kill you!" When I pour pumpkin spice creamer in a cup of coffee then she talks about cooking fat head pizza and "fat bombs". Plus the constant talk of the gym and giving me every detail and showing me every protein drink, coconut oil, pb2 and quest bars. 🙄

Today was pretty good so far. I did have caramel popcorn but made it my lunch as it was curiously satisfying, plus today is an s day.

Already feeling more sane as I've made the decision to do this instead of weight watchers

The coworkers have a year to go. But they might make it, or have less regain than others. I've seen research that shows that low carb does result in more fat loss and adherents are a little more likely to sustain the loss. Two years later, most have worked some carbs back in. But there are tons of dropouts before they get there, with adverse results. And few that make it five years.

In any case, No S is a great training ground for discipline._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Today, i'm going to my mom's where we celebrate a birthday (brother in law) I swear my family is the most birthday-celebrating family! Its good, though- its a good excuse to get together. Also, my mom makes her famous apple pie which is worth it. She's 88 years old and still baking them, although she is a little shaky.

I'm going to the park for a walk this morning. Since I've gained weight, everything is harder. I have a bad knee and it really makes it worse. Its harder to stand up from sitting on the floor, and I read an article about how easily you stand up from sitting on the floor is a good indicator of life expectancy. I really don't want to age this fast. I'm 52!

Lots of incentive to put a fence around the law! Yeah, too many S's don't feel good. (I guess that's what makes them too many.) Warmest wishes to your mother. (I think my mother never made a pie in her life. She cooked, but she wasn't really interested in it, though I didn't realize this until a few years ago.)

The floor thing actually makes me feel a little good as since the beginning of August I've been able to keep up with a minimum of 4 minutes of intense exercise (usually in 20-30-second spurts with 5 or 10 seconds rest) on N days and the routines I use tend to go from standing to floor to standing. It's getting easier. I used to tell my elderly mother to just go from sitting on a chair to standing 10-15 times a day. She didn't, but I need to follow my own advice._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

Last edited by oolala53 on Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:31 am; edited 1 time in total

I mentioned my exercise streak only because I wanted to get across how little time spent can still feel significant. I've often gone over, but I know I've also gone ahead and done only my 4 minutes in situations in which if I had chosen a longer time, I might have said, no, I don't have time. If feels ridiculous to tell myself I can't find 4 minutes SOMEwhere in my day. If I'm really pressed, I'll let myself do movements a minute at time.

I hope I want to be so active at 88!_________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Last night I had chili for dinner and actually thought to pull back on it some. I got nervous about it, but did it. About a cup and a half or less of chili and maybe 10 saltines. It may sound like a lot to some, but I would normally think "what if I want something else, too?"

I felt totally fine after eating! Not stuffed. I could have shoved more in, but it was a meal, not a life commitment. I feel like it was a win for me, since I tend to eat a lot and food seems to be a security blanket.

I've been so bloated lately, I'm hoping that will subside if I pull back a little on the size of my meals to a more moderate portion.

That is a win. You found out you can do with less and it's even comfortable._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Still green. My bloating is better. Those s days need to be calmed down. I can't believe how big my stomach has gotten!

Tonight I'm going to a concert/recording session- American Folk type of music. I'm excited. I rarely go anywhere anymore. Its like life got hard so I just stayed home and hid away eating and drinking and sometimes a cigarette.

I also have not had a cigarette since Monday- I felt a strong urge last night but didn't do it. I've gotten in the habit of coming home from work and a craft beer -sometimes two- and a couple of cigarettes was my "reward" for making it through the day at work. That beer adds a ton of calories, I'm sure.

Then there was the food. A snack maybe before dinner and maybe after dinner. I'm hoping the change in snacking will take this weight off.

Anyway, to break this "habit" I've not gone straight home after work this week (except Monday- I didn't go home but my sister called stressed over work and begged me to have a beer and a smoke- I caved)

I bought some pants at a resale shop on Monday- I need to have at least a couple of pairs of pants that actually fit now. All I have is so tight its awful.
Tuesday I stopped and got air in my tires.
Wednesday I went to a farmers stand and bought tomatoes and then to a mum farm.

My sister and I went to eat sushi and since we're tight wads we just got 2 rolls to share, which wasn't enough for me.

When I got home I had a bran muffin I'd made and frozen last weekend. And a scoop of ice cream The usual "I'll just call this one of my S days", etc. came into mind- but I understand that is harmful to the habit and that is what I'm after. Move on.

Today is an S day and I'm going to try to not make it a free for all. I have been feeling slightly better with the all green days and s days since last Thursday. I really want to make this my normal.

Not a great s day. Too much snacking on crackers and cheese and ice cream. It would be ok if I were hungry or even craving them. Just on auto pilot of previous behaviors.

My back is hurting and I'm tired from not sleeping well. So much that I bought a mattress - a tempurpedic 🙀. I hope it helps. My sister swears by hers. I feel anxious about the cost, but I feel anxious about everything anyway. I just want to get some decent sleep and stop this aching.

It would help if I were in better shape. The scale scared me this morning. You'd think it would make me pull things in- nope.

As Time goes on, keeping to your end days will be your default when stressed. You get to find out the day is better without the over eating._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Feeling really good today. My week was all green!!! Even though there wer donuts twice this week at work and cake and ice cream. I painlessly passed them all up, except for a little nervousness about them being there. I realized I really didn't want them at all! I'm shocked at this, in fact.

Today I also get my new bed. I'm excited and nervous that I won't like it and will have to deal with the return (plus it was $$$$$) but I'm going to stop with my default of always thinking something will go wrong. I. Only right half the time 😜 And why stress over what hasn't happened.

Humans have a default for preparing for "danger," which we moderns rarely face in reality. I, too, need to remind myself not to suffer prematurely! It only helps when it can lead to an action that will really make a difference later, right? No matter what, you'll probably have a nice bed that will be good support for a long time._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

My weekend was a bit too essey, but had a great time at an octoberfest. Those pumpkin ales are too delicious and bratwurst- yum. The next day I pay for it, though 😔

The good news is I love my bed!!! So excited about that 🙌🏻

Bad news is, I'm sick with a cold and it's going to be a very understaffed crazy week at work. It's going to be crazy for a while since we are switching things up a lot and I don't know how it will be done. I'm going to try to be positive about it, and take it day by day.

At least you get to tumble into a new bed for rest to recover from the day._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

At least you get to tumble into a new bed for rest to recover from the day.

Exactly!

I ate absentmindedly yesterday. Hope sick days are s days, too.

Just didn't have any energy to figure out something and didn't feel like going to the store.

soup for lunch then dinner was crackers and cheese and peanut butter, hot toddy, dates and walnuts, toast.

I feel yuck still and it will be a hopping day on my feet at work. Started out with a smoothie for at least some vitamins. I have a can of soup at work and I'll take bacon and tomato in case I want that too- or it will keep until the next day.

Finally feeling better cold wise but work has been a bear and I'm physically exhausted. A lot of it has to do with me being out of shape. The plate guy (I work in graphics for a printing plant) is out and I've been working that dept this week plus my regular job what has to go. 10 hr days and will prob work part of Saturday.

I have a really bad knee, and those steel toed shoes are so heavy on it with 10,000 steps a day. I don't want to complain. My colleague is trim and fit and he flies through the day with much more ease. I feel heavy and handicapped.

On top of that I am not sleeping well, partly from body aches and partly from hormones. Ugh. Sorry to complain. At least I'm making overtime and I def need the dough.

I was ready to grab one of the donuts in the break room yesterday. I was just tired and fed up. Luckily, someone had thrown them away. So glad.

I really feel I'm not losing any weight. I think I still eat too much and those pumpkin beers are full of calories, but at the end of a day they are too delicious and I feel I deserve it.

I guess its been a pretty green week. I haven't snacked, but I haven't been really conscious of what I'm eating.

Tough circumstances. I don't claim never to succumb. Only you can say if it's worth reinforcing the habit of "I think I deserve it," a common way the brain gets people to eat more. You definitely do DESERVE to have some release at the end of tough days. I gently suggest you consider whether you also deserve the prospect of feeling lighter, of taking some pressure off your bad knee, of strengthening your "resistance muscle," etc I know it sounds preposterous, but it can actually be comforting to just take the antsy feelings of desire, just put up with that "jonesing" discomfort for as long as it takes to get to the next meal or for the focus on it to fade in the face of other activities.

Pumpkin beers? I can't find the reference to them._________________Count plates, not calories. Three a day. 9 years & counting
Age 65
SBMI Jan/10-30.8
Jan/12-26.8
Mar/13-24.9 Stayed at +/- 8-lb. for three years Sept/17 22.8 (but more fluctuation)
Mar/18 22.2

Congrats of a good week Lilybug. I hope that you don't have to work too many hours tomorrow, and you can get some rest._________________I'm a 49-year-old mom and non-profit CEO
I am 5' 7.5"
Began No S at 184#, BMI 28.4 - 9/25/2017
Current weight 168#, BMI 25.9- 11/18/2018

I like the idea of thinking "I deserve to feel lighter/weigh less/take pressure off my knees" etc... I need to play around with that thought process!

I think I'd reserve something like a pumpkin beer for S days, and try to come up with another way to unwind at the end of a long day.

An herbal tea? A relaxing bath? A fun game?_________________Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

I've been back for a while, but not keeping up with my Red and Green days, really.

This week was pretty good, but with pretty large portions and not the perfect choices health wise. But that isn't what I'm aiming for in the beginning at least. The good thing is, I made it through an almost green week

Monday was RED Tuesday through Friday was Green.

I actually had to edit this because I forgot about my Monday screw up.